High output integrated utility meter reporting system

• US 9,762,980 B2
• Filed: 01/04/2017
• Issued: 09/12/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mueller International LLC (Mueller Water Products Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Mueller International LLC (Mueller Water Products Incorporated)
• Inventors: Kenig, Yoram
• Primary Examiner(s): Lim, Steven
• Assistant Examiner(s): LITTLEJOHN JR, MANCIL H
• Application Number:
  US15/398,032
• Publication Number:
  US 20170118544A1
• Time in Patent Office: 251 Days
• Field of Search: 34087002, 34087028, 361659, 36167901, 3616794, 343719, 343872
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/40 using a wireless architecture
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/60 for transmitting utility meters data, i.e. transmission of data from the reader of the utility meter
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom

Abstract

A water meter transmission system reads data from a water meter and wirelessly transmits data to a central billing or receiving system. Disclosed transmission systems are fully integrated and contained within pit housings such that the electronic components are well protected. A flat spiral VHF antenna is integrated into a specially configured integrated antenna cover which fits into the top cover of a pit housing. The antenna cover and/or upper lip area of the upper lip of the main housing comprises protrusions complementary to the distal barrier and medial barrier of the integrated cover and is used to exclude water and contaminates. Disclosed transmission systems offer high output and low power consumption and vitiate the need for meter readers to physically access a water meter or other meters.

Claims

1. A meter transmission system comprising:

a main housing defining a top end and a bottom end, the main housing comprising an installation nut, the installation nut comprising internal female threads, an outer threaded area of the main housing comporting to the female threads of the installation nut, an upper lip area disposed at the top end, the upper lip area comprising a support shelf, the support shelf defining a center void, the center void extending through the main housing from the top end to the bottom end of the main housing, the center void defining a bottom opening at the bottom end;

a water proof seal covering the bottom opening, the water proof seal configured to seal the bottom opening;

an electronics board disposed within the center void, the electronics board comprising;

a battery pack;

a vertical index tab, a portion of the vertical index tab extending out from the center void through the water proof seal, the portion of the vertical index tab electrically connected to a water meter through an electric cable; and

a connector attached to a spiral antenna;

an upper antenna assembly comprising a support disk, an antenna insulator, the spiral antenna, and an integrated antenna cover, the support disk defining an insulator center void, the antenna insulator comprising spiral protrusions, the spiral protrusions defining spiral voids, the spiral antenna configured to comport to the spiral voids of the antenna insulator, the integrated antenna cover comprising a distal barrier and a medial barrier;

wherein the connector extends through the insulator center void of the support disk and is attached to the spiral antenna;

wherein the upper lip area of the main housing comprises a lateral wall and a medial wall configured to interlock with the distal barrier and the medial barrier of the integrated antenna cover; and

wherein a top cover of a pit housing is attached to the integrated antenna cover.

2. The meter transmission system of claim 1, wherein the electronics board reads a value from the water meter and transmits the value through the spiral antenna.

3. The meter transmission system of claim 2, wherein the electronics board accepts a stop transmission message and stops transmission.

4. The meter transmission system of claim 1, wherein the support disc is positioned between the support shelf and the antenna insulator.

5. The meter transmission system of claim 4, wherein the support disc is in facing contact with the support shelf and the antenna insulator.

6. The meter transmission system of claim 1, wherein the water proof seal defines a slot, and wherein the portion of the vertical index tab extends through the slot.

7. The meter transmission system of claim 1, wherein a portion of the water proof seal extends through the bottom opening and into the center void.

8. The meter transmission system of claim 1, wherein the integrated antenna cover and the water proof seal cooperate to seal the center void.

9. The meter transmission system of claim 1, wherein the connector is disposed opposite from the vertical index tab on the electronics board.

10. The meter transmission system of claim 1, wherein the bottom opening is defined opposite from the support shelf.